Tuesday night, January 29th brings you an NHL matchup with plenty of playoff implications as the Buffalo Sabres and Columbus Blue Jackets welcome back the regular season in a clash live from the Nationwide Arena. Buffalo lost their final game before the break to Vancouver 4-3, while the Blue Jackets were also losers last time out to Minnesota 2-1.

Buffalo Sabres

The streaky Sabres come into this game winners of only one out of their last five games and really need to turn it around before they fall too far into the void of mediocrity and get lost in the jumble of teams vying for that last Wild Card spot. A win here would definitely help their cause.

LW Jeff Skinner is the Sabres leading goal scorer with 30 on the year, while their leading overall points leader is C Jack Eichel who has 16 goals and 36 assists. Projected starting goalie Carter Hutton comes in with a 14-14-3 record with a 2.75 GAA and a .912 save percentage.

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Jackets have won three out of their last five games, but lost their final two games prior to the All-Star break this past weekend. They are currently holding onto a playoff spot, but a loss here could be devastating in the long run for Columbus.

RW Cam Atkinson is the Blue Jackets leading goal scorer with 27 on the year, while LW Artemi Panarin is their overall points leader with 19 goals and 34 assists. Projected starting goalie Sergei Bobrovsky comes in with a 19-14-1 record with a 2.91 GAA and a .904 save percentage.

Free Buffalo Sabres vs. Columbus Blue Jackets NHL Prediction:

As I mentioned in the header, this game has major playoff implications as the Sabres are currently the top team on the outside looking in, but can they overcome their recent misgivings and get the all important two points in this game is the real question.

I think you have to go with the home team in this one. Columbus has played better on home ice than Buffalo has played on the road, but overall they are the better hockey team, especially now since it seems that that whole “thing” with Bobrovsky is all cleared up. Take Columbus to win this game at home.

About Clinton Bell

Clinton returns for his second tour of duty at Cappers Picks Blog, he has been a sports handicapper for a few years now though. From the Pacific Northwest he brings you his knowledge of all things sports. Stay tuned he'll be picking NFL, CFB, CBB and NBA games daily here on the blog.

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